Multiplex communications – Data flow congestion prevention or control – Control of data admission to the network
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-08
2001-10-16
Ngo, Ricky (Department: 2664)
Multiplex communications
Data flow congestion prevention or control
Control of data admission to the network
C370S411000, C370S393000, C370S473000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304550
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to the field of data transmission, and more particularly to a system and method for broadcast control of a data transmission system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the field of telephone switching systems, modern systems typically include a common control section that manages the call connection process, and a switching matrix that makes the connections. The common control section typically includes such equipment as electronic hardware modules, digital switching components, and computer controls. The switching matrix typically includes an M×N switch having M input ports and N output ports and functional to connect any one of the M input ports to any one of the N output ports. The routing of calls through the switching matrix is accomplished by the common control section.
A digital cross-connect (DCC) system is a specialized switching system that provides improved flexibility in switching services. An example of a modern DCC system is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,890 to Read et al., entitled “
Integrated Multirate Cross-Connect System
,” assigned to DSC Communications Corporation, issued Jul. 25, 1995 (hereinafter “Read”). Such DCC systems may include a plurality of devices that define the M input ports and N output ports, an M×N connection matrix switch operable to connect any of the M input ports to any of the N output ports, and an administration subsystem that provides synchronization, monitoring, and control for remapping of the connection matrix. In addition, the DCC system taught in Read contains redundant parallel planes of all components, such that the DCC system can experience a number of failures in both planes without loss of network traffic.
The potentially large number of components in a DCC system with redundant parallel planes complicates the control of DCCs and the communication of data between components of the DCC system. If individual control messages are sent to each component, the amount of data traffic can delay re-configuration of the DCC system. When the DCC system has redundant parallel planes, as taught in Read, DCC system control may be further complicated because the number of messages is doubled.
A similar problem may be encountered with any other system that utilizes a large number of discrete components that receive data or control commands from a centralized location. For example, air traffic control systems, cellular telecommunications systems, and distributed controls systems may experience service delays or failure because of data transmission delays.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, a need has arisen for a system and method for broadcast control of a data transmission system. More specifically, a system and method for broadcast control of a data transmission system is required that allows data and control commands to be broadcast to multiple discrete components in the system.
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is a system for broadcasting data that includes a message flow optimizer that forms a single concatenated message from a number of discrete messages and a number of broadcast message receivers operable to isolate a portion of the single concatenated message.
Another aspect of the present invention is a system for broadcasting data that includes a message flow optimizer that forms a single concatenated message from a number of discrete messages. The message flow optimizer further includes a message sorter that sorts the discrete messages according to user-specified data fields prior to forming the single concatenated message, and a concatenator that forms a four byte operation message from each of the discrete messages. The system also includes a number of broadcast message receivers that isolate a portion of the single concatenated message. Each broadcast message receiver includes a data transformer that transforms data for a first system into data for a second system, a matrix controller that updates connections in a switching matrix, a database, and a database controller that updates the database.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for broadcasting data that includes the steps of concatenating a plurality of discrete messages into a single broadcast message, and processing the broadcast message with a local processor to isolate that portion of the message addressed to the local processor.
One important technical advantage of the present invention is the ability to broadcast control commands to the individual control system components, thus decreasing the amount of processing of control commands required by the central processor and increasing control system speed.
Another important technical advantage of the present invention is the ability to use the data processing capability of distributed controls system components to perform data processing functions that would otherwise need to be performed by the central processor, thereby decreasing the amount of time required by the central processor to transmit data.
Yet another important technical advantage of the present invention is the ability to transmit data over a network using a single broadcast message instead of a plurality of discrete messages, thus greatly decreasing the amount of addressing data that must be transmitted over the network and increasing the availability of the network for use by the components connected to the network.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5206863 (1993-04-01), Nazarenko et al.
patent: 5247516 (1993-09-01), Bernstein et al.
patent: 5276425 (1994-01-01), Swanson et al.
patent: 5383187 (1995-01-01), Vardakas et al.
patent: 5436890 (1995-07-01), Read et al.
patent: 5483532 (1996-01-01), Eriksson
patent: 5521915 (1996-05-01), Dieudonne et al.
patent: 5521921 (1996-05-01), Murai
patent: 5550593 (1996-08-01), Nakabayashi
Charles Clos, “A Study of Non-Blocking Switching Networks”, Bell System Technical Journal, Mar. 1953, pp. 406-424.
Alcatel USA, Inc.
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Ngo Ricky
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